Louisiana unclaimed property to be listed in newspapers

Want some extra Christmas cash? The Louisiana Department of the Treasury might have some for you.

Starting today, the department is publishing all new unclaimed property receipts in the legal notices of newspapers across the state of Louisiana. The notices will run through December 10.

"I encourage everybody to check the listings for your name and the names of your family members, friends and neighbors, too," said Treasurer Kennedy. "The Treasury holds over $582 million that needs to be returned to its rightful owners. No matter how small the dollar amount, this is your money and we're working to get it back into your wallet where it belongs", said state treasurer John Kennedy.

Unclaimed property is money held by businesses that goes unclaimed and must be turned over to the state. It includes savings and checking accounts, uncashed payroll checks, CDs, stock and dividends, insurance proceeds, oil and gas royalty payments, utility deposits and other funds. When a business cannot locate an individual the Unclaimed Property belongs to, usually because of a wrong address, the money is turned over to the state for safekeeping.

Unclaimed Property listings in newspapers this week only include monies $50 and up that has been collected this past fiscal year, Kennedy said.

Since the program began, more than $306 million to over 374,000 Louisiana citizens has been returned. 1 in 6 individuals has Unclaimed Property, and the average refund is $300 to $400.